Case Number 4239: Extended Abdominoplasty After Extreme Weight Loss

This 26 year old female from Los Angeles, California was interested in an extended abdominoplasty after extreme weight loss left her unsatisfied with her appearance. She lost over 180 pounds and was left with excess skin in her abdomen that bothered her both in and out of clothes. She was referred to Dr. Pousti by a friend of hers and decided to meet with him to discuss her goals.

Before / After 180 Pound Weight Loss

Dr. Pousti examined the patient and recommended an extended tummy tuck to remove the excess skin from her abdomen, back, and flanks and to repair her abdominal muscles. During her consultation, she was able to meet and talk with Dr. Pousti’s previous abdominoplasty patients to hear about their experience. She felt comfortable choosing Dr. Pousti as her surgeon and decided to proceed with surgery.

The patient and Dr. Pousti met again prior to surgery to review the surgical plan and perform markings. Markings of the abdomen, back, and flanks were done to achieve as much symmetry as possible.

After the back/flanks has been completed, Dr. Pousti was able to being on her abdomen and abdominal muscle repair. After weight loss, the muscles are often separated creating a bulge in the abdomen. To decrease the bulge, the abdominal muscles are brought together using internal sutures that create an internal corset.

The patients excess skin is then measured to be excised. Throughout this process the belly button is brought through a new hole made symmetrical to the new abdomen.

1 year
So, it's been just over a year since Dr. Pousti has done my surgery and I FEEL GREAT! I am back to my routine of exercise and fitness. Of course I have to keep my eating habits in place to continue to enjoy the benefits of my body. It's not easy. It still requires discipline and consistency BUT it is worth it! I am grateful for the work that has been done and I highly recommend Dr. Pousti and his staff to any and everyone!
6 Months
I am just over 5 months since my tummy tuck and I am feeling really well. I went to visit Dr. Pousti a week ago and he is very please with how well I am recovering. My incision is completely healed, no scabs left. I am keeping my weight down. Maintenance is hard but it is worth it. I am realizing that just because I had the surgery does not mean that I am not required to continue to eat well and exercise. That is probably the hardest part of the journey, continuing, but it is worth it in the end. My workouts consist of mostly cardio. I am still not released to do heavy lifting yet but I try to stay toned in my upper body by doing push ups.
This surgery is probably one of the best decisions I have made in my life so far. After losing 180 pounds and still having excess skin, I felt like I was trapped and not able to fully experience the benefits of the effort I had put in. So, I am happy and grateful.
25 Days
So, my surgery was on September 24th and it's almost been a month since the date. Time has just gone by so fast. I must say this has been quite a journey but pros have out-weighted the cons. I am still swollen from the surgery but my swelling has drastically decreased. Every week I just get smaller and smaller. I have been blessed with an amazing support system and I must say if you are going to do the surgery, make sure you have people in place to assist you and care for your during this time because for the first couple of weeks you can't do much for yourself at all.
Pros:
-I have had to look down and see what i call my "second stomach" ever again
-Dr. Pousti and his staff are so wonderful to me that I feel like I have a new extension to my heart and family
-Physically, I feel much better and am progressing quicker than I anticipated. I was told that has a lo to do with the fact that I worked out and took care of my body prior to surgery
-I get to look forward to go shopping for bathing suits and pretty underwear :-)
-I AM FREE
Cons:
-some sleepless nights due to uncomfortable sleeping positions
-pain (but the medication takes care of that)
-remaining in the hunched over position and walking with a walker but I’ve gotten pretty used to it
6 Days
I've struggled with obesity the majority of my life. In 2007, when I was 21 years old I decided to fight for my life. I was at a high of 356 plus pounds and I decided to enter the journey of winning back a life for myself. Since then, I have lost 180 pounds, NATURALLY. A lady found my story online and sent it to Dr. Pousti. I was seeking a pro-bono surgery after losing the weight but I could
not afford. it. Dr. Pousti, was so proud of the effort that I have put in that he is gifting this surgery to me. I am so overwhelmed by his love and generosity. His staff has been amazing, warm, and welcoming. Dr. Pousti makes me feel like I am his only patient and that I am important to care for. I thank God that He brought such an amazing surgeon my way! I will finally be able to experience the fruit of all of my labor. I get to experience life without the excess skin on my stomach. I am so overwhelmed, too overwhelmed for words.